Latest news with #MichaelMayne
RNZ News
2 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Football Ferns 'nowhere near' the required level in loss to Venezuela, coach says
While Annalie Longo has signed off as Wellington Phoenix captain she played for the Football Ferns in this morning's 3-1 loss to Venezuela. Photo: Photosport Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne isn't ruling out benching his starting players for the next international match after a comprehensive 3-1 loss to Venezuela in Spain. The Ferns were behind 2-1 at halftime on Sunday morning in the first of two games against the South Americans, with Venezuela sealing the result in the 86th minute with their third strike. "There are some questions for me to answer about some individual performances and how they help the team," Mayne said. "There are some pretty motivated players and hungry players who want to have an impact in this next game. "We need to learn very quickly and the team that takes the field on Wednesday, we need to make sure that we react very positively in that game and look for the result that we need." Having been named full-time coach just last week, Mayne admits they weren't at their best, with a host of problems in defence. "To concede three goals like we did, all very similar goals, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be at in and around our box," Mayne said. Mayne is settling in after his appointment to lead the team for the Women's World Cup 2027 cycle. Looking ahead to the second game, Mayne stressed the importance of learning quickly and bouncing back. "We're a senior international team and need to perform despite being early in the cycle," Mayne said. "I felt we were one or two touches away from really opening them up. "I don't think it was all doom and gloom but we're working on a new system. "The way we tried to press, and that's where our goal came from, worked really well." Katie Kitching equalised for the Ferns after Venezuela opened the scoring in the 25th minute through Deyna Castellanos. The South Americans responded quickly, regaining the lead just before halftime with Mariana Romero finishing an attack down the right-hand side, assisted by Gabriela García. Despite the positive momentum, Venezuela extended their lead in the 86th minute with a long-range strike from Malanie Chirinos. Ferns midfielder Betsy Hassett marked a special milestone as she played again at the international level for the first time since giving birth to a daughter last September. The 34-year-old campaigner initially returned to her club in Iceland just months after becoming a mother. The Football Ferns will take on Venezuela again early on Wednesday morning. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Football Fern Betsy Hassett makes international return a family affair
FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON PLEASE [wh] Football Fern Hassett makes international return a family affair Betsy Hassett wasn't expecting a national team call-up so soon after the birth of son Nói, Photo: Colombia Football Federatiion Nine months after the birth of her first child, midfielder Betsy Hassett is surprised to be back in the Football Ferns with the potential to add to her 157 caps for New Zealand. Hassett is one of five changes new head coach Michael Mayne has made for two games against world No. 51 Venezuela in Spain. The first game is at 4am Sunday (NZT). Playing semi-professional club football for Icelandic Premier Division club Stjarnan, a club she has been with since 2020, Hassett said, despite being in contact with Mayne since late last year, she was not expecting a call-up for this tour. All her club games were filmed, so Mayne knew what kind of form she was in, before he brought her into the squad. "I'm physically and mentally back, and I'm ready to go," Hassett, 34, said. Her return means she is joined by son Nói and partner Gummi on this tour. They are staying in an apartment in Spain, around the corner from the team hotel. When Hassett first played for the Football Ferns as a teenager, goalkeeper Jenny Bindon was the only mum in the team. Bindon is now a Football Ferns assistant coach and son Tyler is an All White . "That was a big inspiration for me back then, but I was not even thinking about [motherhood], I was so young back then," Hassett said. Former Ferns goalkeeper Jenny Bindon now has a son in the All Whites. Photo: Photosport Not every Football Ferns mum has found the balance possible. "There's been Hayley Bowden and she came back for maybe one tour, but it was a bit difficult," Hassett said of the midfielder who retired in 2015. "There was not really set-up for babies and family, so she had to give it up," "That's why I'm going to give it a go. Times are changing now, so it's really cool that this is actually a possible thing to do now." Re-joining the Football Ferns has meant getting introduced to the newbies and reacquainted with those players whom Hassett has played many games with. "There's definitely some new faces in the team, now I've been out for just over a year, so really enjoying getting to know a couple of girls I've never even met before," she said. "Then, of course, coming back in and meeting up with the likes of Stotty [Rebekah Stott] and Flea [Annalie Longo] and Ally Green and the older ones that I'm used to playing with has been amazing, and especially for them to just get to meet my little new son." Football Ferns line up to face Colombia. Photo: photosport After playing college football in California, Hassett has played club football around the world in Germany, England, Norway, Netherlands, Iceland and Wellington. The long Icelandic winters take some getting used to as a footballer, when training conditions can be "tough". "It's coming into summer, so it's getting brighter there very quickly. The days are really long and I'm looking forward to the summer, because it can be really long winters there. "It's nice to go away for a little break in the middle of the winter sometimes, just to get away and see some sun. It's actually really nice to have training in the winter, because it's something that makes you feel better. "Get out and run around and see your mates, instead of just being inside and in the dark all day." The Football Ferns' games against Venezuela will be the first time the two sides have faced each other at senior international level. "It's going to be a good challenge," Hassett said. "I think they'll be a really good team, strong team, so we're doing everything we can, and we're looking good and heading into the game so far. "Really excited to see what we can do." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Michael Mayne confirmed as Football Ferns' new head coach
Michael Mayne has been confirmed as the Football Ferns' new head coach becoming their first New Zealand-born coach in more than 20 years. Mayne has been the interim coach since last year and has signed on to the permanent role through to the 2027 Women's World Cup. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Michael Mayne named Football Ferns head coach
Michael Mayne is the first New Zealand-born head coach of the Football Ferns in 20 years after being named in the role for the Fifa Women's World Cup 2027 cycle. The announcement comes six months after Jitka Klimkova made the decision to stand down from the role with three years left on her contract. The previous five managers – Klimkova (Czechia), Tom Sermanni (Scotland), Andreas Heraf (Austria), Tony Readings (England) and John Heardman (England) – were all born outside of New Zealand. Mayne stepped in as head coach for the Paris Olympics, where the Football Ferns suffered three defeats and failed to advance to the knockout stage. He has had limited opportunities to prove himself since Klimkova left the role. The side have played just twice in 2025, a 1-1 draw with Costa Rica followed by a 1-0 win. Two internationals against Chinese Taipei in Taiwan were cancelled last month because of poor pitch conditions.
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Michael Mayne named Football Ferns coach
Michael Mayne Photo: Michael Mayne has been confirmed as the Football Ferns' new head coach through to the 2927 Women's World Cup, becoming their first New Zealand-born coach in more than 20 years. The 40-year-old has been in the role on an interim basis since former coach Jitka Klimkova quit last September due to an undisclosed employment matter, halfway through a six-year contract. Klimkova had earlier chosen to skip last year's Paris Olympics tournament, opening the door for Mayne, who oversaw three losses in a campaign dominated by the Canadian "drone-gate" scandal. Coach Jitka Klimková Photo: PHOTOSPORT In five other international friendlies in charge, Mayne has overseen one win, two draws and two defeats. The win was their most recent performance - a 1-0 victory away to Costa Rica in February. Mayne will take up his permanent post ahead of the team's two-match series against Venezuela in Spain next month and said he was looking forward to the challenge. "To be head coach of your country is something I absolutely do not take lightly and it is a proud moment for me and my family," he said. "There are a lot of people that have invested time and effort in me throughout my coaching career, and this is an acknowledgement to their belief and support they have given as well. "While in the role on an interim basis I've been really pleased with the work we have been able to start as a team, so it is a real privilege to be in a position to continue to drive that forward. "This is an exciting, talented, and motivated group of players, and we can move forward now with our plan, with a lot of new energy, and push ourselves to reach that next level and that starts immediately against Venezuela." Prior to his interim role, Mayne was assistant to Klimkova, including during the 2023 World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Michael Mayne addresses the Football Ferns at halftime in their international friendly against Japan. Photo: photosport He has held coaching roles with the New Zealand under-17 and under-20 women's teams, including for the historic bronze medal campaign at the under-17 Women's World Cup in 2018. He was among the first coaches in New Zealand to undertake the OFC Pro Licence, the globally recognised standard for elite-level coaching. New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said Mayne was well-equipped to step into the role on a full-time basis. "It speaks volumes for the football system in this country that Michael is someone who has come through the coaching pathway here and got to the top level of the game," Pragnell said. "He combines an understanding of the international game, high levels of integrity and strong standards and values, with deep knowledge of football in this country, and that is the perfect blend for us and how we want to develop as a team."
